Her presidential office issued a statement Thursday, saying Mrs. Kumaratunga requested the meeting to review the practical functioning of the cease-fire in order to prevent further killings.

The request followed the parliamentary approval of an extension by one month of a state of emergency imposed after last week's assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

The motion was passed by a vote of 124 to 21, with the Tamil National Alliance voting against it. The Alliance is backed by Tamil Tiger rebels.

On Wednesday, the rebel group's chief peace negotiator, Anton Balasingham held talks in London with Norwegian peace brokers. It was their first meeting since Mr. Kadirgamar was gunned down at his home in Colombo late Friday.